Seth MacFarlane explains Harvey Weinstein gag

When footage emerged of Seth MacFarlane cracking a joke about film producer Harvey Weinstein while presenting the 2013 Oscars, the Internet saw red.

Now the Family Guy creator has responded, explaining exactly what his apparent light-hearted gag was all about.

Taking to Twitter, he slammed suggestions he did nothing about the situation and revealed there was a dark-truth behind the now in-famous wisecrack.

"In 2011, my friend and colleague Jessica Barth, with whom I worked with on the Ted movies, confided in me about her encounter with Harvey Weinstein and his attempted advances," he wrote. "It was with this account in mind that, when I hosted the Oscars in 2013, I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a hard swing in his direction."

"Make no mistake," he continues. "This came from a place of and loathing and anger."

The joke has gone viral over the past few days as details about Harvey's alleged abuse has become public, with some questioning if it proved the industry knew all along and it had become an 'open secret.'

The New York Times first published an article accusing movie mogul Weinstein of 30 years of sexual harassment a week ago.

Since the, scores of women have come forward with their own accounts of inappropriate behaviour they claim he made towards them, including a growing number of high-profile actresses, such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Heather Graham.

Jessica Barth, who has also been among them, also took to Twitter to defend her friend, saying he should be 'applauded' for the joke as he was one of the few men brave enough to speak out.

In one of the biggest scandals to have ever hit Hollywood, Weinstein has denied the mounting claims against him but has apologised for causing 'pain.'

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His wife Georgina has left her husband of ten years, citing 'unforgivable actions' as her reason.

Seth also took time to applaud his friend Jessica for her bravery, as well as the other women who are speaking out and sharing what they claim has happened to them.

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